Mrsvemb

The timing of applying the gratuities does make a difference since the Peninsula Club discount is only taken from purchases NOT from gratuities so taking the gratuities earlier in the cruise means that the OBC is used used up earlier so the discount starts being applied early in the cruise.

I fully agree Jody. This is the point that I have been trying to make. It will be interesting to see how it is done on your upcoming cruise. Please let us know.

I read this somewhere recently, not sure if it was a review, blog or just in a thread, but it was somebody who had just returned from a cruise.

Enjoy your cruise

Val

It does not matter when items are charged to your account if you are going to spend all your OBC, which most people do, then only the excess bit of spend will be subject to your Peninsular discount.

So whether grats go on day 2 or last day you end up with exactly the same final bill.

About the only things not subject to discount or chargeable against OBC, are future cruise payments or deposits, and deleting the grats does not influence the nett spend, unless you're a tight wad añd do not pay them in cash.

It does make a difference. Let's say you have £300 OBC. Gratuities are £150. You then build up an on board spend of £500.

If the Gratuities come off of your account at the beginning of the cruise, once you have used the remaining £150 OBC then you will get peninsular discount on £350 of you on board spend. This would be £35 if you are in top tier

If the grats are taken off of your account at the end of the cruise, then the first £300 spent will just use your OBC. You will then get peninsular discount on just £200. This would be £20.

I agree with others who would prefer the grats to be included in the cruise price so that everyone has to pay. Since the grats have been charged to the account, we still find ourselves giving extra in envelopes.

Val

I read on one of the forums recently that gratuities are now taken off at the end of the cruise. This means that on board expenses, trips etc that attract the peninsular discount come out of the OBC, so no discount has to be given.

When the gratuities were charged at the beginning of the cruise, they were taken/part taken out of OBC leaving your on board expenses to attract the discount.

More penny pinching!!!

Val

Britannia's cabins are not that small, bigger than Aurora, Oriana and Oceana.

 

Oriana is like a block of flats for that matter only 5 stories high.

 

 

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Like you, we always have a suite. Are you saying that the suites on Britannia are the same size as on Aurora? The balconies certainly certainly are not. Our friends had a suite on Britannia and the balcony was just 4' deep. They were very disappointed with the size of the suite itself too.

Val

Certainly not for us! We tried Azura in the maiden season and felt it was just too big. As for Britannia, we have read enough in the many and varied reviews not to bother trying her. Smaller cabins and worst still balconies than we feel acceptable.

We don't live in a block of flats, nor do we want to stay in a block of flats on holiday.

The big ships mean less personal space for cabins and balconies and crowded public areas. Sounds like hell to us.

Pile it high, sell it cheap springs to mind.

Val

Thats interesting. I have been following a thread on a Facebook cruising page where a ladies daughter and her boyfriend had been swindled out of the money that they paid for a P&O cruise. The boyfriends Dads partner worked for P&O at Southampton and had supposedly booked a cruise for them. Turns out she never booked the cruise and after an internal investigation the staff member was sacked. I wonder if it could have been the same person in your case accessing customers details ?

I will never know the answer to that one. Credit card fraud departments do not share information. I told them that their security questions were all too obvious so now have agreed a password with them in case I need to phone. I don't use that credit card much now as I felt very angry with the way it happened in the first place and the way it was dealt with.

Val

I had an incident a few years ago after returning from a cruise. Firstly I would point out that we did not register my card on the ship. However, I did use it to pay for part of the cruise.

I tried to use my card for an online order and it was declined. I phoned my card provider and was asked various security questions, address, dob etc. I was then told that I had failed the security and would need to go into any branch of Barclays Bank to prove my identity. I did this and provided passport, driving licence and a recent credit card statement. At this point it became clear that the address had been changed on my account to an address in Southampton which is why I failed the security. Another card had been sent to the 'new' address.

It was passed to the fraud department and I was issued a new card. I spoke to the fraud department and asked how they could allow someone else to change my address details and I was assured that they passed the security.

Whoever it was knew address, dob etc.

The next time that I paid for a cruise using credit card, the system had changed, the card details had to be keyed in on the phone so the operator did not know these details. Make of this whatever you like, but it suggests to me that a 'problem' had been uncovered.

Val

Hi, my daughter has Coeliac disease and we may go on a European cruise next summer. I know that cruise lines cater for gluten free passengers so I'm just after anyone's experience of taking a child with Coeliac on a cruise, she will be 9 when we travel and is a fussy eater. How did you child get on and what kind of kid friendly food was available and what ship did you travel on?

Thanks

I don't know which cruise line you are thinking of booking but I am also Coeliac and can give you my experience from an adults point of view.

We have cruised with P&O many times. I always state at the time of booking that I need gluten free food. The head waiter gives me the following days menu for both lunch and dinner each evening. Food is prepared in a controlled environment by the special diet chef. They go that extra mile to accommodate any requests that I have and I have had some of the best gluten free food anywhere.

I can't see this being any different for a child. There is a children's menu, so I am sure that the menu can be adapted to gluten free and would work the same way by pre ordering the previous night. Speak to the cruise line before booking to put your mind at rest.

Val

We used to go to the Greek islands every year in late May and September. In late May the weather is very warm, however, the sea and swimming pools were very cold. So good if don't want to swim on your beach trips. September is still quite hot, but the sea and swimming pools are lovely. Enjoy whatever you decide.

Val

The OP is in UK, health insurance may be different.

Exactly, in the UK travel insurance is very different to US. As I said in my previous post, a good travel policy will cover everything. This includes evacuation from the ship in a medical emergency, all medical treatment and if necessary a plane will be chartered with medical staff and any necessary equipment to repatriate the patient to a hospital in the UK.

Val

Not to be negative but in addition to the insurance which I assume that you have, you might think about a 1 trip MedJet policy if you can get it.

 

DON

Not necessary when travelling from the UK. A good travel insurance policy for a cruise will cover everything that you might need.

Val

I am so sorry to hear that. A stupid mistake that should never have happened. I can certainly understand your fears for your daughter. Somehow it seems worse when a child is suffering these allergies.

I think all cruise lines run a similar system for special diets, my worry is that any one of them could make the same mistake.

Val

thank you!

Weve tried P and O twice but had a poor experience on the last cruise.

I am very surprised to hear that you had a poor experience with P&O. Did you inform them prior to your cruise? I am coeliac and on the first night in the dining room the head waiter always brings the menus for the following days lunch and dinner. This is repeated every night and I can choose anything as it is adapted to suit my allergy. All food for people on special diets is prepared in a separate galley by the diet chef. If we eat in any of the speciality venues, I have to go and order my food the night before. Not a problem.

To be honest, I am far more comfortable with eating on a P&O ship than any restaurant on shore. Also the choices are far wider.

Val

We often link our bookings on P&O which I assume is a similar exercise as both are owned by Carnival. One party needs to ask for a TWID code and then the other party needs to get that code allotted against their booking. This can be done at the time of booking or afterwards with whoever you booked the cruise with. It may be that HAL call it something different. Hope this helps.

Val

Roscoe,what a joy it has been to read your blog. I feel as though I have been round the world with you. It is by far the best blog that I have read. You have obviously had a fantastic fun time and enjoyed every minute. Enjoy the last few days and keep blogging.

Val

We have had C192 which is actually next door to C194. C192 being the one with the wrap around balcony. C192 was smaller than the aft corner suites on A & B decks, in fact we were disappointed with it. I think C194 is a bit bit bigger but will not be as big as midships and A & B deck aft suites. I will look to see if I have any photos, but they probably won't help you much being next door.

Val

Just google 'travel insurance for people with heart conditions'. This brings up numerous companies. Looking at the list it gives, I am sure that you will be able to find cover. Good luck with it.

Val

All insurance companies will cover an element of common pre existing conditions. It depends entirely on what conditions that you need to cover. For some conditions e.g. Cancer the options can be more limited depending the severity. Try having a look at website for your condition e.g. British heart foundation or McMillan. These will list companies to try for your condition. All companies will cover things like high blood pressure, stable diabetes, asthma etc.

Val

Can you explain "Costcutting" at an omlette station ??

Sorry, could have worded it better. My point is that probably the cartons of liquid eggs are probably cheaper than fresh eggs. P&O (and other cruise lines) seem to be cutting back wherever they can to boost profits.

Val

Thank you so much for posting this info!

 

My DH is coeliac and we're just about to go on our first long cruise with P&O.

DH tries to eat naturally gluten free as the additives in a lot of the GF breads etc don't suit him - so eggs for breakfast. I can see that he would have been really unwell and we wouldn't have tracked it down, so it would have been a miserable trip esp over Christmas and New Year.

 

 

Thank you again!

I have always found P&O to be very good with gluten free. Obviously the eggs issue appears to be a new thing.

The head waiter will make themselves known to you on the first night at dinner and give you the next days menus to pre order lunch and dinner. It might be worth raising the eggs issue at that time to get a definitive answer.

I would be interested to hear how you get on. Have a great cruise.

Val

Is this something new on P&O? I haven't cruised with them this year, but did last year and previous years. I am gluten intolerant and have never had a problem. In fact I have seen the chef in the buffet cracking eggs at the omelette station. May be more cost cutting? Something to watch next cruise. Thanks for the warning

Val

I have paradoxyl afib. I actually had an attack on a ship in 2012. The medical care was excellent. Senior doctor at my bedside for 2 hours in the early hours of the morning. I was given intravenous drugs but they didn't work. I flipped back to a normal rhythm then next morning. The doctor said they could do a cardio version if necessary. I was in the medical centre overnight and I felt much safer than in A&E here at home.

If your doctor says you are fit to cruise then go for it. Make sure that you declare the condition to insurers. My overnight bill was £1200 on the ship.

Val

How about starting the day with a champagne breakfast on the balcony? Your butler can organise that.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your cruise and have a fabulous birthday

Val

I actually depends on which P&O ship and, location you have a suite Val. All P&O ships with stern balconies have loungers and, Azura and Ventura also have them midships. Not sure about Arcadia midships as have only been on the stern

 

Vicky

They have loungers on Arcadia side suites as the balconies are quite big.

We have not cruised this year, however, in 2014 the midships suites on Arcadia did not have loungers. They had 2 normal chairs and 2 chairs where the back adjusted slightly. Very uncomfortable. From what Daib is saying, this has changed. We complained bitterly on our last three cruises about the lack of comfort on the balcony and were told that there was not enough space for a lounger. Good to hear that P&O have listened.

Val

Hi all

 

We're joining Britannia on 20.11.15 and will be in a suite for the first time (special treat for my 50th!!). I understand this entitles us to a butler but really not sure what this means or whether I'd really feel comfortable with this service.

 

I'd be really interested to hear what you have used a butler for and whether or not you found this to be particularly beneficial.

 

Would also be interested in how you've experienced suite perks generally on Britannia.

 

Many thanks

Carleen & James

We, like you, booked a suite as a one off several years ago. Spoilt us and we have not gone back to a balcony cabin since!

We were a bit worried as to what we would do with a butler. They will do as much or as little as you want.

We do not use the butler to unpack/pack because we would never find everything.

You can have any meal served from the MDR menu in your suite or on the balcony. We always have our breakfast served in the suite and very often lunch on a sea day.

The butler is responsible for keeping tea/coffee etc topped up and brings canapés and tops up fruit basket daily.

Booking speciality restaurants and excursions.

Will organise a drinks party in your suite ( not many people do this these days)

I have heard that some guests ask the butler to make their cocoa before bed. What next? Put their teeth in soak? Lol.

We have had a lot of different butlers, they are not intrusive. You get to know what time they will come in and you can always put up your 'do not disturb' sign.

As for the suite perks on P&O, we have found them reducing every trip. Other cruise lines offer much better perks, though not many offer a butler. I will try and remember what is left:

Priority embarkation, embarkation lounge serving champagne and a buffet, priority for tenders (butler will issue the cards), champagne, chocolates and an orchid in the cabin, larger toiletries pack, bathrobe and slippers. There is more balcony furniture, but the new furniture is not comfortable. No real steamers or loungers anymore.

Can't think of anything else. Enjoy your trip

Val